ORDER AND PAY FOR THE GROUND SCHOOL CLASS AND SUPPLIES
Select the items you want, select your payment method, enter your name, phone number and email address. Then click on "Click once to register, order and
pay for supplies." button. I will contact you if you select check or cash. If you decide after the first session that you do not want to take the class, I will
give you a full refund (less the 3% Credit Card/Paypal handling fee which I don't get back).
I will explain what we will cover in the class and what is involved to become a pilot at our first session. If you are not sure if you want to take the class,
select deferred payment and you can pay at the end of the first session. Note: If we run out of space, the folks who have prepaid will have priority.
I will place an order one week before the first session. If you register and pay for your supplies before then, you will get your supplies during the first
session. I will place another order after the first session and you will get your supplies during the second session the following week.
About the textbooks:
Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook is by far the best private pilot instructional book (IMHO). While reading it,
you will frequently smile and chuckle and occasionally laugh out loud. The explanations are very clear and understandable.
If you prefer, you can get it for your ipad or iphone, as an Adobe Digital Edition or as an audio book here.
The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is also a good textbook and is less expensive.
It is the "bible" of aviation training books published by the Federal Aviation Administration and well written.
You can buy the hardcopy from me, view it for FREE at this website:
View Pilot's Handbook
or download it for FREE at this website:
Download Pilot's Handbook.
The class syllabus will have chapter references for both
books above. If your enjoy reading and want to thoroughly study the material, you can get Rod's book, download The Pilot's Handbook and read the appropriate
chapter(s) from each before each class. There are other books and some other free internet references available (I
will discuss these in the first class) but if you choose to use them, you will
be responsible to coordinate which sections to read for each class.
About the flight computer and plotter:
With GPS, tablet computers and smart phones, very few pilots use paper charts, a plotter and a mechanical
flight computer (the E6B or "wiz wheel") today. However the FAA has not yet figured this out so they still require you to read paper charts and navigate
from them. The FAA will not allow you to use a GPS, computer or smart phone during the written test. So the least expensive way to handle this is to learn how to use a
plotter and wiz wheel (besides, your instructor is an old timer and likes teaching their use for nostalgic and sadistic reasons). The class slides will display
the flight computer and plotter listed below but you can use others if you wish. If you are real cheap, you can even use a piece of paper as a plotter and to draw
wind triangles (buy me dinner and I'll show you how - of course the plotter and wiz wheel are probably cheaper than dinner.)
The class itself is $150.00.
I recommend you get
Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook APR E6-B flight computer ASA plotter